Cartier Baignoire

The Cartier Baignoire, which literally means bathtub in French, has been the subject of some much deserved praise and styling within the past year (in fact, it was just re-released by Cartier at this year's Watches & Wonders! I feel like I manifested this). Released in 1957, the Baignoire quickly gained popularity thanks to the French actress Catherine Deneuve (and Mrs. Robinson via The Graduate, which I just noticed). Its oval shape satisfied a desire for something decidedly more whimsical than the angular Tank, while retaining the understated elegance Cartier is known for. Fit for both men and women (hunky American actor James Garner wore one in his day, and it was recently styled in Aimé Leon Dore’s SS23 campaign), this watch is versatile and, simply… fun! 

DATE OF BIRTH: Circa 1990s

MATERIAL: 18K yellow gold with a navy Cartier-signed alligator strap, fitted with an 18K yellow gold Cartier buckle 

SIZE: 22mm

MOVEMENT: Quartz

CONDITION: Very Good. Unpolished

BOX/PAPERS: Yes/Yes

THE NITTY GRITTY: 

A solid eighteen carat yellow gold Cartier Baignoire on a navy alligator strap with original solid eighteen carat gold Cartier Tang buckle. The solid eighteen carat yellow gold case is in excellent condition. There are some signs of wear, but nothing distracting. The case remains unpolished, which is important in such a curved and rounded case. The original winding crown is present with the iconic cabochon sapphire set into it. The dial is the original white painted enamel with printed black Roman Numerals and the hidden Cartier signature at the 10 o’clock position. It is signed “Swiss” below the six o’clock numeral. The watch is powered by a manual wind Cartier signed ETA ebauche Swiss made movement

This example is from the 1990’s, a time when Cartier had already re-released the “Crash” and was improving the make and quality of their case making. Quality that can be seen in this example. The issues that the earlier Baignoire dials experienced are, with this example, a thing of the past. The decision to move away from the glossy ‘enamel’ dials have meant that they are now  less susceptible from intervention via dust and moisture – and the dials themselves do not crack and craze. 

This example is complete: a “full set”, meaning it has its original red Cartier tooled box and full set of paperwork. A rare opportunity to own an early version of the watch. One that, as we’ve seen from the recent Watches & Wonders fair, is now back in the Cartier lineup. Sure to be one of the hottest watches of 2023.